Am I doing my separation anxiety puppy any good by leaving her in the morning and coming home at noon and then going again? Is it better that I just leave her one time, seems so sad. I have a web cam at work and can see that it takes awhile for her to calm down after I leave, but then she starts to relax and play. Then I go home at noon to play with her for about 1/2 hour and then it starts all over again.
What do you folks think?

Why don't you try not going home one day, and see? The web cam does not lie. I know that a lot of dog boarding facilities have a policy against dog owners "visiting" their dogs during the stay (like when they are touring from out of town, and have brought their dog, but can't actually take their dog sightseeing with them). They can phone to ask about the dog, but it is best that they refrain from visiting unless they've come to actually pick him up and take with them. The reason for this policy may possibly apply to your little pup.

Two comments:

1. Your puppy is still a young dog. I would not leave it for the entire work day. I know that puppy cries after you leave after lunch but that's okay, puppy is learning. That puppy is settling down and playing is a great thing. Hang in there, you are doing great.

2. Regarding boarding facilities that discourage an owner from dropping in--I would NEVER use such a facility! I would never leave a human child in a day care facility that would not allow me to drop in to observe (good ones have an observation window for parents/guardians) and I would never leave my animal babies in a facility with similar rules. There MAY be good reasons for this policy but it conjures up images of poor care that they want to hide.

Originally Posted by Frecs

Two comments:

1. Your puppy is still a young dog. I would not leave it for the entire work day. I know that puppy cries after you leave after lunch but that's okay, puppy is learning. That puppy is settling down and playing is a great thing. Hang in there, you are doing great.

2. Regarding boarding facilities that discourage an owner from dropping in--I would NEVER use such a facility! I would never leave a human child in a day care facility that would not allow me to drop in to observe (good ones have an observation window for parents/guardians) and I would never leave my animal babies in a facility with similar rules. There MAY be good reasons for this policy but it conjures up images of poor care that they want to hide.

For 1. thanks
For 2. I agree

I used to do the same thing! When I started a new job, my puppy was only 6 weeks old (we got him at 4 weeks because he was orphaned) and I was afraid to leave him for 8 hours a day. I would come home at noon for 45 minutes to take him out and play with him. Eventually there was a couple days in which I could not go home, and i got really nervous that he would not be okay by himself. After I realized he was okay and he was getting older, I started gradually decreasing my amount of time going home until I no longer did it. Occasionally I still go home because I work so close to my house, but I never do it on a regular basis anymore.

I think you are just worrying yourself because you see your dog upset. Maybe you should turn the webcam off so you do not have to see. All dogs are upset when they are left alone, but as long as the dog is not exhibiting separation anxiety signs (Digging, chewing, and scratching at doors, howling, barking, and crying for a long period of time, or urination and defecation as a result of distress.), she will be fine.

here's a good website about separation anxiety: Separation Anxiety | The Humane Society of the United States